Frenkie de Jong has been pictured taking part in first-team training for Barcelona as his side's pre-season tour of the United States continues.
Manchester United are desperately trying to sign the Dutch midfielder this summer, although more than two weeks have passed since United agreed a deal in principle with Barcelona for the signing of De Jong. Despite the belief that the Dutchman wants to stay at Barcelona, Erik ten Hag's side have been relentless in their pursuit and are still hoping that a deal can be done.
Barcelona's own hierarchy have been at odds with each other recently after their club president and director of football publicly contradicted each other in yet another bizarre twist to this transfer story. Despite all the noise and confusion surrounding the move continuing off the pitch, De Jong has been back on the training pitch.
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Here are three things we spotted as Barcelona took part in an open training session ahead of their match against David Beckham-owned Inter Miami later this week:
1. Frenkie de Jong was all smiles
If the Dutch midfielder is concerned over his future, he certainly wasn't showing it.
As he was put through his paces under the hot sun, the former Ajax player was seen to be sharing laughs and jokes with his teammates as he cut a relaxed figure throughout the session. Although United fans would love an absence from training — the case with Lisandro Martinez before his move — De Jong certainly seemed to be enjoying himself as he took to the field in Florida.
2. The Dutchman won't be taking penalties at Old Trafford
The debate over who should be taking penalties at United will surely not involve the Dutch midfielder should he join the club.
Former Manchester City player Sergio Aguero made a surprise visit to the training ground after his retirement from football last year and was filming his former teammates taking part in a friendly penalty competition.
Aguero captured the moment that de Jong stepped up to take his penalty and his fellow Barcelona players were left in stitches as he scuffed his shot wide seeing his ball hit the outside of the post.
3. De Jong talking to a former United player
Although he only made 22 appearances for the club during his fours year at United, Gerard Pique might well have been telling De Jong what life is like in Manchester.
The pair were seen in conversation during the training session and United fans will certainly hope that Pique was trying to put in a good word for his former side and that the Dutchman might make the opposite journey from Barcelona to Manchester.
All eyes will continue to be on Barcelona and De Jong as their pre-season tour continues over the coming weeks. Despite there being no end in sight to this transfer story just yet, United fans will be hoping to see De Jong take part in training at Carrington soon.
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